Artistic Element Holder

ABSTRACT

An artistic element holder comprising an artistic element platform with an artistic image permanently or semi-permanently mounted and an artistic element holder frame assembly capable of holding the artistic element platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Prior History

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/673,140 filed in the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office on 18 Jul. 2012.

2. Field of the Invention

This application covers an invention in the area of jewelry.

Conventional jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, which integrateartistic elements, such as precious stones, engravings, cut-outs, andimages, are typically difficult to reconfigure for matching fashions. Itis difficult to remove an artistic element and difficult to insert anartistic element. The difficulties of reconfiguration are even greaterwhen the artistic element is art, which can be stored as a digital imageand printed on a media, such as paper or cardboard. Further, imagesprinted on paper or cardboard are not water resistant, as would bedesired for jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application covers an invention for an artistic element holder,normally worn as a piece of jewelry.

The first embodiment of this invention provides an artistic elementholder comprising an artistic element platform, further described as abeing water-proof or water-resistant, being firm, and being a flat,convex or concave platform for permanently or semi-permanently mountingan artistic element, and an artistic element holder frame assembly,further described as a rectangular, circular, elliptical, orspline-defined frame assembly having two or more straight or curved legsfacing each other, which are capable of holding the artistic elementplatform.

Among the legs of the artistic element holder frame assembly, there is afirst leg facing a second leg, the second leg holding a spring loadedlatch, the latch being capable of moving away from the artistic elementplatform and back towards the artistic element platform engaging theedge of the artistic element platform or a tab on the edge of theartistic element platform, to lock the artistic element platform to theartistic element frame assembly or to unlock the artistic elementplatform from the artistic element frame assembly.

The latch could be depressed by the insertion of the platform, when theplatform edge or tab contacts an angled section of the latch, producinga force vector along the axis of latch movement, exceeding the springforce, or by a force applied by a thumb, finger or other objectproducing a force vector to the latch along the axis of latch movement,exceeding the spring force. A spring contained within the frame assemblyprovides a return force to automatically return the latch towards theartistic element platform, engaging and locking the artistic elementplatform into the artistic element frame assembly.

The legs each have a surface contacting the front face of the artisticelement platform. The first leg also has an angled side wall contactingthe first adjacent edge of the artistic element platform and an angledtop surface that contacts the back face of the artistic elementplatform. The second leg, third leg, and fourth leg each also have aside wall contacting the adjacent edge of the artistic element platform.

When the latch has been depressed and allowed to spring back and engagethe artistic element platform or tab, the lower surface of the latchcontacts the back of the artistic element platform or tab. After thisengagement, the artistic element platform is captivated within theartistic element frame assembly.

The artistic element frame assembly contains a decorative frame, whichmay be manufactured using a precious or decorative metal, assembled to aplastic or metal insert, which has a slot holding a spring and a latch,along with mounting screws and also hardware for mounting the artisticelement holder to jewelry like necklaces and bracelets.

The second embodiment of this invention provides an artistic elementholder comprising an artistic element platform, further described as abeing water-proof or water-resistant, being firm, and being a flat,convex or concave platform for permanently or semi-permanently mountingan artistic element, and an artistic element holder frame assembly,further described as a rectangular, circular, elliptical, orspline-defined frame assembly having two or more straight or curved legsfacing each other, which are capable of holding the artistic elementplatform.

Among the legs of the artistic element holder frame assembly, there is afirst leg facing a second leg, the first leg comprising a first recessedlatch receptacle, and the second leg comprising a second recessed latchreceptacle. There is also a third leg facing a fourth leg, the third legholding a spring wire-form. The spring wire-form, comprising a firstlatch point and a second latch point, can be positioned into a fullylatched position with the first latch point latching into the firstrecessed latch receptacle and the second latch point latching into thesecond latch receptacle.

The legs each have a surface contacting the front face of the artisticelement platform.

The first leg, second leg, third leg, and fourth leg each have a sidewall retaining the adjacent edge of the artistic element platform.

When the first latch point of the spring wire-form has been depressed,moved toward the first leg and subsequently released, it latches intothe first latch receptacle. When the second latch point of the wire-formhas been depressed, moved toward the second leg and subsequentlyreleased, it latches into the second latch receptacle. When both latchpoints have been released into the two recessed latch receptacles, thespring wire-form is in its fully latched position. In its fully latchedposition, the spring wire-form's engagement exerts a force against theback face of the artistic element platform. After this engagement, theartistic element platform is captivated within the artistic elementframe assembly.

When the artistic element platform is captivated within the artisticelement platform assembly, the first and second latch points can bedepressed and moved away from the first and second legs, freeing theartistic element platform from captivation, allowing the artisticelement platform to be removed from the artistic element frame assembly.

The artistic element frame assembly contains a decorative frame, whichmay be manufactured using a precious or decorative metal, assembled to aplastic or metal insert, which has a slot holding a spring wire-form,along with mounting screws and also hardware for mounting the artisticelement holder to jewelry like necklaces and bracelets.

Both embodiments of this invention, described above, allow an artisticelement platform, with an artistic element permanently orsemi-permanently mounted to it, to be easily inserted into and removedfrom an artistic element holder frame assembly, which may be decorative,to form a piece of jewelry. The artistic element holder may also containadditional hardware to allow connection of the artistic element holderto a piece of jewelry, such as a necklace, chain, bracelet, anklet, orother jewelry.

The artistic element holder frame assembly can be easily assembled withcomponents manufactured using standard processes, such as casting,machining, stamping, rolling, molding, forming, and others.

The novel manufacturing process for the artistic element platforminvolves first cutting a firm water-proof material to the desired shapeto form a platform, second applying a light colored coating to theplatform to enhance reflectance of light through the artistic image,third applying a contact adhesive layer to a thin transparent orsemi-transparent plastic film, fourth applying an artistic image usinginks or paints to the thin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film,fifth adhering the thin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film tothe platform, sixth applying a waterproof or water resistant coating,seventh applying a UV resistant coat, if desired.

This UV resistant coating will protect the colors from fading from UVdeterioration. The result of this novel process is a micro-sizedreproduction of art that is water resistant or waterproof and easilyoriented, aligned, and inserted into or removed from a decorative frameassembly that can be worn as a piece of jewelry. The process above isone example of a process to manufacture the artistic element platform.The order of the steps may be changed slightly or a few steps could beadded, deleted, or modified while not departing from the spirit of theinvention.

The back face of the artistic element platform may also have an imageapplied using the process above and this image may contain codedinformation.

In another aspect, this invention provides an assembly comprising theartistic element holder previously described with a different novelprocess for manufacturing the artistic element platform, including firstcutting a firm material to the desired shape to form a platform, leavinga substantial void within the artistic element platform to allow lightto pass through the artistic element, second adhering an artisticelement through any of a variety of bonding processes. The artisticelement may be a stone, a piece of plastic or glass, a material withartistic pattern carved in, or any other type of decorative material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly in which an artistic elementholder of this invention contains an artistic element platform of thisinvention, captivated within an artistic element holder frame assemblyof this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insert of this invention containinga slot which holds a spring, depicted as a cylinder, and a latch.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one version of the artistic elementplatform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangularplatform with a tab.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another version of the artistic elementplatform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangularplatform with a rectangular cut-out and a tab.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front of the decorative frame.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the decorative frame.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the latch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the artistic element holder frameassembly, containing a decorative frame, an insert with a slotcontaining a latch and a spring (spring is visible only in FIG. 2)

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the artistic elementholder frame assembly.

FIG. 10 is a second perspective view of a second cross-section of theartistic element holder frame assembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly in which an artisticelement holder of the second embodiment of this invention contains anartistic element platform of the second embodiment of this invention,within an artistic element holder frame assembly of the secondembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the insert of the second embodiment ofthis invention containing a slot to hold the spring wire-form of thesecond embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one version of the artistic elementplatform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangularplatform with one or more large radii and/or large chamfers.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another version of the artistic elementplatform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangularplatform with a rectangular cut-out.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the front of the decorative frame ofthe second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the back of the decorative frame.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the spring wire-form.

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of the artistic elementholder frame assembly of the second embodiment of this invention,containing a decorative frame, an insert, a spring wire-form, and aretainer of the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the artistic elementholder frame assembly.

FIG. 20 is a second perspective view of a second cross-section of theartistic element holder frame assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many forms, thereis shown in the figures, and will herein be described, two detailed andpreferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that thisdisclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof this invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of theinvention to the embodiments illustrated.

As used herein, the phrase “artistic element holder” means a device bywhich an artistic element, mounted on a platform, is held in adecorative frame to be used as jewelry or other form of decoration. Thephrase “artistic element platform” means a device which has an artisticelement permanently or semi-permanently mounted to it. The phrase“artistic element holder frame assembly” means a decorative frame devicethat can hold the artistic element platform and can allow easyorientation, alignment, insertion and removal of the artistic elementplatform.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8, an artistic element holder 1comprises an artistic element platform 7 and an artistic element holderframe assembly 2, which includes a decorative frame 3, an insert 4, alatch 5, a spring 6, mounting screws (not pictured) and hardware formounting the artistic element holder 1 to a piece of jewelry (notpictured). The insert 4 has a mechanical stop surface 35.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the artistic element holder frameassembly has a first leg 10, a second leg 11, a third leg 8 and a fourthleg 9. The first leg 10 has a first surface 12, a first angled side wall14, and an angled top wall 15. The second leg 11 has a second surface13, and a second side wall 16. The third leg 8 has a third surface 17and a third side wall 18. The fourth leg 9 has a fourth surface 19 and afourth side wall 20.

Referring also now to FIG. 3, the artistic element platform 7 of thisinvention has a tab 21, a front face 22, a back face 23, a first edge24, a second edge 25, a third edge 26, a fourth edge 27, and an artisticimage 37. The tab 21 has a back surface 28.

Referring also now to FIG. 4, the modified artistic element holderplatform in another embodiment of this invention, has all of the samefeatures as the artistic element platform described above, with theadditional cut-out 30.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the decorative frame 3 has a cut-out 31 anda plurality of threaded mounting holes 32A, 32B, and 32C.

Referring to FIG. 7, the latch 5 has an angled surface 33, a lowersurface 34, a positioning surface 36, and a spring bearing surface 38.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 7, 9, and 10, the artistic image platform 7, inits locked position, has its front surface 22 in contact with the firstsurface 12, the second surface 13, the third surface 17, and the fourthsurface 19. Also in its locked position, the artistic element platform 7has its first edge 24 retained by the first angled side wall 14, itssecond edge 25 retained by the second side wall 16, its third edge 26retained by the third side wall 18, and its fourth edge 27 retained bythe fourth side wall 20. Also in its locked position, the artisticelement platform has its back face 23 retained by the angled top wall15. Also in its locked position, the artistic element platform has a tab21 with a back surface 28 retained by the lower surface 34 of the latch5.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the artistic element platform 7, in itslocked position, has an artistic image 37 located on its front surface22, which is visible through the cut-out 31 of the decorative frame 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 7, 8, and 9, in its locked position, thespring 6 is in contact with, and applying force to, the spring bearingwall 38 of the latch 5, causing the position of the latch 5, axiallyalong the second leg 11 to be fixed by contact of the positioningsurface 36 of the latch 5 with the mechanical stop surface 35. Thisprecise positioning allows the angled surface 33 of the latch 5 to be inthe necessary position to allow the tab 21, of the artistic elementplatform 7, to contact the angled surface 33 of the latch 5 duringinsertion of the artistic element platform 7 into the artistic elementframe assembly 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 15, and 18 to describe a secondembodiment of the invention, an artistic element holder 101 comprises anartistic element platform 107 and an artistic element holder frameassembly 102, which includes a decorative frame 103, an insert 104, aspring wire-form 106, a retainer 136, mounting screws (not pictured) andhardware for mounting the artistic element holder 101 to a piece ofjewelry (not pictured).

Referring now to FIG. 12, the insert 104 has a slot 135, a first recess121, a second recess 128, a plurality of matching large radii 138A,138B, 138C, and/or matching large chamfers 133. The term “matching” inthis specification refers to radii and/or chamfers that have a dimensionsimilar to or less than the dimension of the adjacent radius or chamferof the artistic element platform 107.

Referring now to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, the artistic element holder frameassembly 102 has a first leg 110, a second leg 111, a third leg 108 anda fourth leg 109. The first leg 110 has a first surface 112, and a firstside wall 114. The second leg 111 has a second surface 113, and a secondside wall 116. The third leg 108 has a third surface 117 and a thirdside wall 118. The fourth leg 109 has a fourth surface 119 and a fourthside wall 120.

Referring also now to FIG. 13, the artistic element platform 107 of thesecond embodiment of this invention has a front face 123, a back face122, a first edge 124, a second edge 125, a third edge 126, a fourthedge 127, and an artistic image 137, mounted on the front face 123.

Referring also now to FIG. 14, the modified artistic element holderplatform 129 in another embodiment of the second embodiment of thisinvention, has all of the same features as the artistic element platformdescribed above, with the additional platform cut-out 130.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the decorative frame 103 has a cut-out 131and a plurality of threaded mounting holes 132A, 132B, and 132C.

Referring to FIG. 17, the spring wire-form 106 has a first latch point105, a second latch point 115, a first corner 141, and a second corner142.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 17, 19, and 20, the artistic image platform 107,when in its locked position, has its front surface 123 in contact withthe first surface 112, the second surface 113, the third surface 117,and the fourth surface 119. Also in its locked position, the artisticelement platform 107 has its first edge 124 retained by the first sidewall 114, its second edge 125 retained by the second side wall 116, itsthird edge 126 retained by the third side wall 118, and its fourth edge127 retained by the fourth side wall 120. Also in its locked position,the spring wire-form 106 is in contact with and applying force to theback face 122 of the artistic element platform 107.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 15, the artistic element platform 107, inits locked position, has an artistic image 137 located on its front face123, which is visible through the cut-out 131 of the decorative frame103.

Referring now to FIG. 18, in its locked position, the first latch point105 of the spring wire-form 106 is in contact with and applying force tothe first recessed latch receptacle 134 of the retainer 136. Also in itslocked position, the second latch point 115 of the spring wire-form 106is in contact with, and applying spring force to, the second recessedlatch receptacle 140 of the retainer 136.

Operation

In order to insert the artistic element platform 7 into the artisticelement frame assembly 2, the artistic element platform 7 is lowered ata slight angle so that the corner defined by the intersection of thefront face 22 and the first edge 24 first contacts the third surface 17and the fourth surface 19. Next, the artistic element platform 7 ismoved towards the first leg 10, until the first edge 24 contacts thefirst angled side wall 14. Next, the second edge 25 of the artisticelement platform 7 is lowered until the tab 21 contacts the angledsurface 33 of the latch 5.

Next, a force, in excess of the spring force, is applied to the backface 23 of the artistic element platform 7 so that the tab 21 pushesagainst the angled surface 33, producing an axial force vector along theaxis of the second leg 11. The axial force causes the latch 5 to moveaway from the tab 21 until the tab 21 reaches a point below the lowersurface 34 of the latch 5. Next, the spring force, applied by the spring6, moves the latch 5 back to its original position, locking the tab 21by trapping the tab 21 between the second surface 13 and the lowersurface 34. After the tab 21 is locked, the artistic element platform 7is in its locked position within the artistic element holder frameassembly, as described earlier.

In order to remove the artistic element platform 7 from the artisticelement frame assembly 2, a force, in excess of the spring force, isapplied to the angled surface 33 of the latch 5 along the axis of thesecond leg 11 in a direction towards the third leg 8. The applied forcemoves the latch 5 along the axis of the second leg 11 until the tab 21is no longer trapped between the second surface 13 and the lower surface34. Next, a force is applied to the front face 22 of the artisticelement platform 7. The applied force moves the second edge 25 out ofthe second leg 11, allowing the artistic element platform 7 to be easilypulled out of the artistic element holder frame assembly 2.

Thus, it can be seen that the artistic element platform 7 along with theartistic element 37 that is mounted to the artistic element platform 7,can be easily inserted into the artistic element holder frame assembly 2and that the artistic element platform 7 along with the artistic element37 that is mounted to the artistic element platform 7 can be easilyremoved from the artistic element holder frame assembly 2.

In the second embodiment of this invention, in order to insert theartistic element platform 107 into the artistic element frame assembly102 the artistic element platform 107 is oriented, aligned, and loweredinto the artistic element frame assembly 102 until its front face 123 isin contact with the first surface 112, second surface 113, thirdsurface, 117, and fourth surface 119. Next, the spring wire-form 106 ispivoted about the centerline of the groove 135 until the springwire-form 106 first contacts the back face 122 of the artistic elementplatform 107. Next the first corner 141 of the spring wire-form 106 isdepressed and simultaneously moved towards the first recess 121 and thenreleased, allowing the first latch point 105 to come into contact withand apply force to the first recessed latch receptacle 134. Next, thesecond corner 142 of the spring wire-form 106 is depressed andsimultaneously moved towards the second recess 128 and then released,allowing the second latch point 115 to come into contact with and applyspring force to the second recessed latch receptacle 140, causing theartistic element platform 107 to be fully captivated within the artisticelement frame assembly 102.

In order to remove the artistic element platform 107 from the artisticelement frame assembly 102, the first corner 141 of the spring wire-form106 is depressed and simultaneously moved away from the first recess 121and subsequently released, allowing the first latch point 105 todisengage from the first recessed latch receptacle 134. Next the secondcorner 142 of the spring wire-form 106 is depressed and simultaneouslymoved away from the second recess 128 and subsequently released,allowing the second latch point 115 to disengage from the secondrecessed latch receptacle 140. Next the spring wire-form 106 is pivotedabout the centerline of the slot 135 away from the artistic elementplatform 107 so that the spring wire-form 106 is no longer in contactwith the artistic element platform 107. Next, the artistic elementplatform 107 is lifted out of the artistic element frame assembly 102.

Thus, it can be seen that the artistic element platform 107 along withthe artistic element 137 that is mounted to the artistic elementplatform 107, can be easily inserted into the artistic element holderframe assembly 102 and that the artistic element platform 107 along withthe artistic element 137 that is mounted to the artistic elementplatform 107 can be easily removed from the artistic element holderframe assembly 102.

Various modifications and alterations of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scopeand spirit of this invention, and it should be understood that thisinvention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forthherein. For example, the artistic element platform could be held intothe artistic element holder frame with a quick-turn fastener, snap-incaptivator, rotating cam, magnetic force or other captivating means.

What is claimed:
 1. An artistic element platform capable of holding anartistic element, further described as being water-proof orwater-resistant, being firm, being flat, convex, or concave, furthercomprising one or more large radii and/or large chamfers, greater than0.020 inches, for orientation and alignment of the artistic elementplatform within a decorative frame.
 2. The artistic platform of claim 1with a substantial void allowing a two or three dimensional artisticobject to be bonded within the void.
 3. The artistic platform of claim 1with the back face of the artistic element platform containing an imagecontaining coded information.
 4. An artistic element frame assemblycomprising a decorative frame and precision captivating means capable ofinsertion and captivation of the artistic element platform of claim 1.5. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorative frame andprecision captivating means capable of insertion and captivation of theartistic element platform of claim 1 and further comprising one or morematching radii and/or chamfers for orientation and alignment of theartistic platform within the artistic element frame assembly and withthe radii and/or chamfers being approximately the same size or smallerthan the adjacent radii and/or chamfers on the artistic elementplatform.
 6. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorativeframe, an insert with two recesses, a pivoting spring wire-form, and aretainer with two recessed latch receptacles allowing engagement of thetwo latch points on the spring wire-form.
 7. An assembly comprising theartistic element platform of claim 1 and the artistic element frameassembly of claim
 4. 8. An artistic element frame assembly comprising anartistic element holder frame assembly, further described as arectangular, circular, elliptical, or spline-defined frame assemblyhaving two or more straight or curved legs facing each other, which arecapable of holding an artistic element platform. Among the legs of theartistic element holder frame assembly, there is a first leg facing asecond leg, the first leg comprising a first recessed latch receptacle,and the second leg comprising a second recessed latch receptacle. Thisassembly also comprises a third leg facing a fourth leg, the third legholding a spring wire-form. The legs each comprise a surface capable ofcontacting the front face of the artistic element platform. The firstleg, second leg, third leg, and fourth leg each further comprising aside wall capable of restraining the adjacent edge of the artisticelement platform. The spring wire-form, comprising a first latch pointand a second latch point, with the first latch point capable of latchinginto the first recessed latch receptacle and the second latch pointcapable of latching into the second recessed latch receptacle.
 9. Theartistic element frame assembly of claim 6 further comprising one ormore matching radii and/or chamfers for orientation and alignment of theartistic element platform of claim 1 within the artistic element frameassembly and with the radii and/or chamfers being approximately the samesize or smaller than the adjacent radii and/or chamfers on the artisticelement platform.
 10. The assembly comprising the artistic elementplatform of claim 1 and the artistic element frame assembly of claim 6.11. An artistic element platform capable of holding an artistic element,further described as being water-proof or water-resistant, being firm,being flat, convex, or concave, further comprising a tab that can engagewith a spring-loaded latch on a frame assembly.
 12. An artistic elementframe assembly comprising a decorative frame and precision captivatingmeans capable of insertion and captivation of the artistic elementplatform of claim
 11. 13. An artistic element frame assembly comprisinga decorative frame and a spring loaded latch capable of captivating thetab of the artistic element platform of claim
 11. 14. An artisticelement frame assembly comprising a decorative frame and magneticcaptivating means capable of insertion and captivation of the artisticelement platform of claim
 1. 15. A method of manufacturing an artisticelement platform which includes the following series of steps which maybe done in a variety of sequences: cutting a firm water-proof orwater-resistant material to the desired shape to form a platform,applying a light colored coating to the platform, applying a contactadhesive layer, applying an artistic image using inks or paints to athin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film, adhering the thintransparent or semi-transparent plastic film to the platform, applying awaterproof or water resistant coating, and adding a UV resistant acryliccoat.
 16. The method in claim 15 with the acrylic coat deleted.